GeorgiaFence Rules

DeKalb County

Fence Rules in Doraville, Georgia

Last verified: August 29, 2026

This page is maintained manually and may not reflect very recent ordinance changes. Always confirm current rules with your local permitting office.

For information only. Fence rules change frequently and this site may not reflect every requirement that applies to your property (HOA covenants, easements, variances, recent amendments). Always verify with your local permitting office before building. Full disclaimer

At a glance

In Doraville, fence height limits are: front yards, 4 ft max, see-through and out of the right-of-way; Most side and back yards: 8 ft max; If that side or the back of your lot runs along a street: 4 ft max, see-through and out of the right-of-way; Commercial, mixed-use and industrial: 8 ft max, no fences in front yards.

Apply through Planning and Community Development: 770-451-8745, ext. 225; The city's fence standards apply whether or not a permit is issued.

On corner lots in Doraville: Along the side street: 4 ft max, see-through. Sec. 23-602; Sight triangle, unless the district allows building to the property line: clear view 20 ft along each property line from a street corner, 15 ft where a street meets an alley; Inside it: nothing sight-obscuring over 30 in above grade, tree branches above 8 ft.

Pool fences in Doraville: No city number of its own; the city adopts Georgia's state pool code: 48 in minimum barrier.

Fence setbacks in Doraville: A front-yard fence stays out of the right-of-way; In commercial, mixed-use and industrial districts, no fences in front yards at all.

Prohibited fence materials in Doraville: No barbed wire, razor wire or electric fences outside the M-1 and M-2 industrial districts; Form-Based Code districts T3 through T6: chain link may not be visible from a public street, and any chain link has to be black or hunter green vinyl clad.

Fence Regulations

Doraville

Apply for Permit
Permit Requirements
Apply through Planning and Community Development: 770-451-8745, ext. 225. The city's fence standards apply whether or not a permit is issued.
Height - Front Yard
4 ft max, see-through and out of the right-of-way.
Height - Side/Rear
Most side and back yards: 8 ft max. If that side or the back of your lot runs along a street: 4 ft max, see-through and out of the right-of-way. Commercial, mixed-use and industrial: 8 ft max, no fences in front yards.
Height Notes
Height is measured from the top of the street curb, the surface of an alley, or the official established grade, whichever is higher. Along a line between neighbors, it is measured from the average grade on the lower lot's side. The City Council may require taller fences, walls or plantings as screening between different uses.
Pool Fences
View Pool Fence Safety Requirements
Corner Lots
Along the side street: 4 ft max, see-through. Sec. 23-602. Sight triangle, unless the district allows building to the property line: clear view 20 ft along each property line from a street corner, 15 ft where a street meets an alley. Inside it: nothing sight-obscuring over 30 in above grade, tree branches above 8 ft.
Materials Allowed
The fence ordinance does not list permitted materials. The city's fence handout names privacy, picket, chain link (black vinyl coat recommended), decorative metal, brick, stone and masonry. A front-yard fence has to be see-through, out of the right-of-way, and 4 ft or under. Form-Based Code districts T3 through T6: chain link may not be visible from a public street and has to be black or hunter green vinyl clad. A fence in the strip between the street and the front of the house may be no more than 50 percent solid.
Materials Prohibited
No barbed wire, razor wire or electric fences outside the M-1 and M-2 industrial districts. Form-Based Code districts T3 through T6: chain link may not be visible from a public street, and any chain link has to be black or hunter green vinyl clad.
Historic Districts
No historic district fence review in Doraville.
Setbacks
A front-yard fence stays out of the right-of-way. In commercial, mixed-use and industrial districts, no fences in front yards at all.
Design Requirements
Fence frames and foundations go on the inside, facing your own property. There is no finished-side-out rule beyond that. A front-yard fence must be see-through.
Gates
Not addressed in the city code.
Source
Doraville Code Sec. 23-703 and Sec. 23-2047
Notes
Governed by Zoning Sec. 23-703, and by Sec. 23-2047 in the Form-Based Code districts. Ask Planning and Community Development whether your parcel is in one: 770-451-8745, ext. 225

Rules can vary within a jurisdiction. Historic districts and zoning overlays often have stricter requirements. Look up your exact address to confirm which rules apply to your property.

Other jurisdictions in DeKalb County

Fence rules change from one city and unincorporated area to the next. Compare Doraville with nearby jurisdictions:

All DeKalb County fence rules →

Ready to build your fence in Doraville?

FenceWorks of Georgia is Atlanta's premier fence company: residential and commercial installation, repair, and removal. Free quotes, no obligation.

Get My Free QuoteCall 770-452-9900

4.9★ on Google · Google Guaranteed · Financing available